State government, NIFT join hands to reboot Khadi in Bihar

New Delhi: Seeking to re-energise Bihar's khadi industry and make the heritage fabric more attractive for youth, the state government and NIFT-Patna have joined hands to re-brand the indigenous textile with a global appeal.

Bihar State Khadi Gramudyog Board, under the Department of Industries, was created post-Independence to start, encourage, assist and promote Khadi and village industries.

Over the decades, the home-spun brand, popularised by Mahatma Gandhi, somewhat lost its allure in the state, especially among the youth. But, National Institute of Fashion Technology is now refashioning and rejuvenating this sartorial heritage for the new-age generation.

"Bihar Khadi Board and NIFT-Patna have signed an agreement to this effect and the repositioned brand, christened 'Santiti' will be officially launched tomorrow at the Bihar Pavilion of the ongoing India International Trade Fair 2015," Director, NIFT-Patna, Sanjay Shrivastava said.

He added that the primary idea is to 'reboot' the Khadi industry, and make the youth connect to their heritage.

In rebooting the brand, NIFT Patna would be playing the role of consultant for the Board for a period of three years.